- Rebecca
- Here you will find the daily random thoughts that pop into my head, things that move me.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
They say a picture is worth a thousand words
I'll let the photo's speak for themselves for now. Since there's so much in me - I don't know where to begin. Ask any question you like and I'll answer.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I think it's about time I start talking about Russia and where better to begin than the beginning.
Those wanting stories about the kids are going to have to wait until I get through all this other stuff. While I'd much rather talk about the kids - it's easier for me to start at the very beginning. It's a very good place to start. Like when you read you begin with ABC when you sing you begin with . . . . wait - how did I get on Sound of Music. . . .
Never mind. Back to the beginning.
The day I left, Thursday, June 18th was one of the fasted, longest days of my life. My morning started early with me finishing packing, loading my car and somewhat cleaning my room so that it wouldn't be a complete mess.
I headed up to church to finish last minute things with Susan. In the meantime I really hurt Miss Lee Barron - I mean really hurt her and that was something I carried with me most of my trip. Here's that story.
I wasn't thinking that there would be much to do to help Susan, but there were still at least 15 letters it seemed that needed to be translated to Russian. We had less than 2 hours, and each letter generally takes about 10 or more minutes each. Typing them in, formatting, and then the constant back and forth on the web site to make sure that the correct translation is done for each word. It's a long process and I don't do well under pressure. Needless to say I was stressed and about to cry. Lee was so very helpful before I started typing, and even while I was typing. But then she came into the room I was in and stood over my shoulder. I don't type well when people watch me and we were very quickly running out of time. I asked her to leave and she came closer, I asked her to leave again and she didn't. I said - Lee - I love you but you need to leave, I can't work with people looking over my shoulder. Then when she turned to leave Susan closed the door. I continued furiously working and just scraped by getting everything done. Susan left a little later than she had wanted to but I got to Dee's just in time.
As I was walking out the door of the church I went up to Lee and said, Lee I'm sorry about the way that I spoke to you before and she completely cut me off and said it was completely uncalled for and unforgivable and then wouldn't talk to me after that. So I walked out the door thinking to myself - what a way to start my trip.
I thought about that the entire flight and post trip note: I emailed her when I got back but haven't heard any response back. I've called up to the church to speak to someone else and she was courteous but she was not her normal warm self. Makes me sad that it's that way - and I know I should have handled it better - but REALLY!
Anyways - back to the trip.
Dee and I got to the airport and the Dimmocks and Susan were there. Soon after Shaun and Philip arrived as well as Margaret aka Nana. We got a call from Kristen Snyder that Steve and Brad were running late.
We couldn't check in until we were all there but Mike didn't know that so he came and dropped Brad and the luggage off and then went to park the car. Well - it took him FOREVER. So some of us decided to go ahead and get in the ever growing line.
We all (Steve included) finally got through the ticket line and security with enough time to spare to get food for those wanting.
The first 10 hour flight was stifling hot!! Miserable! Normally, so I've been told, the flights are freezing but not ours. Nope - in fact some dude in front of us stood up at the end of the flight and his entire back was one big sweat mark - yuck!
I was sitting in a row with Dee and Nana and all three of our guys decided to lean their chairs back and the dude sitting in front of Dee decided he needed to put his hands behind his head which put them almost directly in her face. Then the guys would get up for 10 minutes at a time and NOT put their chairs up - REALLY!!!
We had a 6 hour layover in Germany that was glorious!! The windows were open letting in the cool German breeze and I slept HARD for the entire 6 hours. I remember lying down and then being woken up because our flight was about to load.
The next leg went by really quickly and I sat next to some cute kids that didn't speak a lick of English.
Next Post - the first sites of St. Petersburg.
Those wanting stories about the kids are going to have to wait until I get through all this other stuff. While I'd much rather talk about the kids - it's easier for me to start at the very beginning. It's a very good place to start. Like when you read you begin with ABC when you sing you begin with . . . . wait - how did I get on Sound of Music. . . .
Never mind. Back to the beginning.
The day I left, Thursday, June 18th was one of the fasted, longest days of my life. My morning started early with me finishing packing, loading my car and somewhat cleaning my room so that it wouldn't be a complete mess.
I headed up to church to finish last minute things with Susan. In the meantime I really hurt Miss Lee Barron - I mean really hurt her and that was something I carried with me most of my trip. Here's that story.
I wasn't thinking that there would be much to do to help Susan, but there were still at least 15 letters it seemed that needed to be translated to Russian. We had less than 2 hours, and each letter generally takes about 10 or more minutes each. Typing them in, formatting, and then the constant back and forth on the web site to make sure that the correct translation is done for each word. It's a long process and I don't do well under pressure. Needless to say I was stressed and about to cry. Lee was so very helpful before I started typing, and even while I was typing. But then she came into the room I was in and stood over my shoulder. I don't type well when people watch me and we were very quickly running out of time. I asked her to leave and she came closer, I asked her to leave again and she didn't. I said - Lee - I love you but you need to leave, I can't work with people looking over my shoulder. Then when she turned to leave Susan closed the door. I continued furiously working and just scraped by getting everything done. Susan left a little later than she had wanted to but I got to Dee's just in time.
As I was walking out the door of the church I went up to Lee and said, Lee I'm sorry about the way that I spoke to you before and she completely cut me off and said it was completely uncalled for and unforgivable and then wouldn't talk to me after that. So I walked out the door thinking to myself - what a way to start my trip.
I thought about that the entire flight and post trip note: I emailed her when I got back but haven't heard any response back. I've called up to the church to speak to someone else and she was courteous but she was not her normal warm self. Makes me sad that it's that way - and I know I should have handled it better - but REALLY!
Anyways - back to the trip.
Dee and I got to the airport and the Dimmocks and Susan were there. Soon after Shaun and Philip arrived as well as Margaret aka Nana. We got a call from Kristen Snyder that Steve and Brad were running late.
We couldn't check in until we were all there but Mike didn't know that so he came and dropped Brad and the luggage off and then went to park the car. Well - it took him FOREVER. So some of us decided to go ahead and get in the ever growing line.
We all (Steve included) finally got through the ticket line and security with enough time to spare to get food for those wanting.The first 10 hour flight was stifling hot!! Miserable! Normally, so I've been told, the flights are freezing but not ours. Nope - in fact some dude in front of us stood up at the end of the flight and his entire back was one big sweat mark - yuck!
I was sitting in a row with Dee and Nana and all three of our guys decided to lean their chairs back and the dude sitting in front of Dee decided he needed to put his hands behind his head which put them almost directly in her face. Then the guys would get up for 10 minutes at a time and NOT put their chairs up - REALLY!!!
We had a 6 hour layover in Germany that was glorious!! The windows were open letting in the cool German breeze and I slept HARD for the entire 6 hours. I remember lying down and then being woken up because our flight was about to load.
The next leg went by really quickly and I sat next to some cute kids that didn't speak a lick of English.
Next Post - the first sites of St. Petersburg.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I'm back
I'm back from Russia but I'm still processing. I don't know how long it'll be before I'm able to post but it's coming I promise!!
God did some amazing things while there, and in me and I can't wait to share.
I took over 500 pictures - and while I won't bore you with all I can't promise it won't be less than 3 digits worth ;) Don't worry - I'll use a program and grid some together.
God did some amazing things while there, and in me and I can't wait to share.
I took over 500 pictures - and while I won't bore you with all I can't promise it won't be less than 3 digits worth ;) Don't worry - I'll use a program and grid some together.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Ok - One more post
Work has been CRAZY busy - what with the guys being helpless without me and me trying to get things in order before I leave.
Just kidding - but things have been crazy. New boss, big boss, and project managers in town this week have caused me to get behind on my note taking!! Boo for that - but what do you do. When the boss tells you to do something you can't very well tell him "in a minute please"
Ok - well that's not really the reason for this post - The point is that last night I took my car to the shop to check the transmission fluid level and get the oil changed. Well turns out the transmission fluid is on some kind of a lock box and I can't do anything unless I go straight to the dealership. But that wasn't the only happy news I got. I was also informed that I needed 2 new front tires at a whopping 133 each. So $313 later I left with an oil change, 2 new tires and no fix to the main reason I went in in the first place! Thank goodness I had some money in savings.
Please pray that THAT was what I needed my savings for and not for the time I'd be missing work. I know that God has it under control, and everything will work out like it always does. I just need to remind myself sometimes! :-)
I leave tomorrow!!! Wooo HOOOOO!!!!
(I realize most of you are confused since I said yesterday I only had one more day to leave - but I don't count the day I'm on - nor the day I leave - it makes me feel better :) )
So my flight leaves tomorrow at 4 pm and by Sunday I'll be with the kids.
God, you hold me and those kids in your hands. I know that I'm going on this trip for a reason, and whether that's to catch a vision to go full time into ministry or whether that's to be the one person who can talk to those kids and let them know that no matter how alone they feel - You are always there and you call them by name. You call them beloved. Open their hearts and break mine.
thank you all again for all the prayer and support you have given me. Can't wait to get back and catch you all up!
Just kidding - but things have been crazy. New boss, big boss, and project managers in town this week have caused me to get behind on my note taking!! Boo for that - but what do you do. When the boss tells you to do something you can't very well tell him "in a minute please"
Ok - well that's not really the reason for this post - The point is that last night I took my car to the shop to check the transmission fluid level and get the oil changed. Well turns out the transmission fluid is on some kind of a lock box and I can't do anything unless I go straight to the dealership. But that wasn't the only happy news I got. I was also informed that I needed 2 new front tires at a whopping 133 each. So $313 later I left with an oil change, 2 new tires and no fix to the main reason I went in in the first place! Thank goodness I had some money in savings.
Please pray that THAT was what I needed my savings for and not for the time I'd be missing work. I know that God has it under control, and everything will work out like it always does. I just need to remind myself sometimes! :-)
I leave tomorrow!!! Wooo HOOOOO!!!!
(I realize most of you are confused since I said yesterday I only had one more day to leave - but I don't count the day I'm on - nor the day I leave - it makes me feel better :) )
So my flight leaves tomorrow at 4 pm and by Sunday I'll be with the kids.
God, you hold me and those kids in your hands. I know that I'm going on this trip for a reason, and whether that's to catch a vision to go full time into ministry or whether that's to be the one person who can talk to those kids and let them know that no matter how alone they feel - You are always there and you call them by name. You call them beloved. Open their hearts and break mine.
thank you all again for all the prayer and support you have given me. Can't wait to get back and catch you all up!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
It's been awhile, I'm sorry. But, I have been a little busy seeing as I leave in 1 day!! WOOO HOO!!!
Those of you following my blog know that I'm heading to Russia to work at an orphanage. I'm all packed - except for the few things I'll be needing to get ready for work tomorrow and then the day of the flight.
Wow- can't believe it's finally here. After many years of having the desire to go - it's just around the corner. Actually- it's more like I'm in the home stretch - I can see it.
Since I'll be out, I won't have access to a computer, but I did pack several journals that I plan on filling up. When I get back I'll write out a few of the journal entries and post pictures. I plan on taking up my entire camera's memory with pictures - probably won't post them all - but I plan on capturing every moment.
Ways to pray:
Those of you following my blog know that I'm heading to Russia to work at an orphanage. I'm all packed - except for the few things I'll be needing to get ready for work tomorrow and then the day of the flight.
Wow- can't believe it's finally here. After many years of having the desire to go - it's just around the corner. Actually- it's more like I'm in the home stretch - I can see it.
Since I'll be out, I won't have access to a computer, but I did pack several journals that I plan on filling up. When I get back I'll write out a few of the journal entries and post pictures. I plan on taking up my entire camera's memory with pictures - probably won't post them all - but I plan on capturing every moment.
Ways to pray:
- Safe travel (my first international flight)
- Sleep - when I'm able to sleep - to be multiplied so that I will be completely theirs while I'm there and not tired from jet lag, or exhaustion.
- For God to be very clear about whether or not I'm needed in Russia full time, and if not there than to reveal where he wants me to go next.
- For the kids - to be open to Jesus and God's love, and for us American's not wanting to "close the deal" and pressure them into a relationship with Him. It goes against everything in most Americans who want to get in, tell them about Jesus and then the have them sign on the dotted line. Sometimes, we just have to plant the seed and not get to see the fruit and we have to be ok with that.
- That all on the time - all personality types would be able to work as one team.
- For my mom - she's so worried about me going. What I ask you to pray for her about is a peace that I'm going to be ok - no matter what.
- And above all - anyway the spirit leads you to pray - pray!!
I love all my blogging friends and will miss you while I'm gone. This will probably be the last post before I get back - talk to you soon!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Ghost - Updated
Ok - I have an update before you read the story below. After working myself up quite a bit I talked to my sister and feel much better. She said that the TV in my room used to do that - turn on and off because of a short circuit. So I'm going to debunk the ghost myth and say it's a short circuit. None-the-less all appliances are getting unplugged tonight :)
I'm house sitting for a family at my church while they are out of town. Nothing new since I've house sat before and actually (normally) enjoy it. After telling me all the normal stuff about the home, TV, and alarm she told me about a ghost/demon in their home that does crazy things like close doors, turn on water faucets and such.
I don't believe in ghosts. I believe in demons, and above all the power God has over them, but I wasn't convinced that I had anything to worry about. Yesterday I headed over after work, watched some TV in the living room, started cutting the bandannas for flip flops we're taking to Russia and then went to their room to turn in for the night. I stayed up for a while unpacking my bag, and watching a little more TV until I packed it in.
I was fine until 3:42 this morning when the TV in the room I was staying in turned on with the cable off which meant it was the REALLY loud static noise. I jumped up with my heart in my throat and lunged at the TV to turn it off but before I could it off it turned off by itself. The remote was on the night stand so it wasn’t like I rolled over on it – though I wish I had cause I could excuse that away.
So instead I prayed until my heart stopped beating out of my chest and then couldn’t go back to sleep so I stayed up for two hours watching The Peoples Court and news (did you know news starts at 3 am!!) and saw a grandma get tazered by a cop cause she was being a punk, cursing and was about to storm into traffic - seriously. I was finally able to take a 30 min cat nap before it was time to get ready for work. Tonight – TV gets unplugged!!
And any prayers warding off "whatever" is in that house is appreciated!!!!
I'm house sitting for a family at my church while they are out of town. Nothing new since I've house sat before and actually (normally) enjoy it. After telling me all the normal stuff about the home, TV, and alarm she told me about a ghost/demon in their home that does crazy things like close doors, turn on water faucets and such.
I don't believe in ghosts. I believe in demons, and above all the power God has over them, but I wasn't convinced that I had anything to worry about. Yesterday I headed over after work, watched some TV in the living room, started cutting the bandannas for flip flops we're taking to Russia and then went to their room to turn in for the night. I stayed up for a while unpacking my bag, and watching a little more TV until I packed it in.
I was fine until 3:42 this morning when the TV in the room I was staying in turned on with the cable off which meant it was the REALLY loud static noise. I jumped up with my heart in my throat and lunged at the TV to turn it off but before I could it off it turned off by itself. The remote was on the night stand so it wasn’t like I rolled over on it – though I wish I had cause I could excuse that away.
So instead I prayed until my heart stopped beating out of my chest and then couldn’t go back to sleep so I stayed up for two hours watching The Peoples Court and news (did you know news starts at 3 am!!) and saw a grandma get tazered by a cop cause she was being a punk, cursing and was about to storm into traffic - seriously. I was finally able to take a 30 min cat nap before it was time to get ready for work. Tonight – TV gets unplugged!!
And any prayers warding off "whatever" is in that house is appreciated!!!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Please Pray
Ok all,
The big week is here. Brad's last week, and the week when the Big Dogs are in town and carry the fate of my future here at Wood Group in their grubby little hands (before you get all holier than thou on me - I know who REALLY holds my future in his hands - I'm just going for a little drama early on Monday morning!
Please pray for me this week as I'm preparing for Russia and possibly prepare to look for another job.
I don't think I'll be online much this week except for the evenings - so as soon as I know anything I'll let you know. Until then - no news is good news.
The big week is here. Brad's last week, and the week when the Big Dogs are in town and carry the fate of my future here at Wood Group in their grubby little hands (before you get all holier than thou on me - I know who REALLY holds my future in his hands - I'm just going for a little drama early on Monday morning!
Please pray for me this week as I'm preparing for Russia and possibly prepare to look for another job.
I don't think I'll be online much this week except for the evenings - so as soon as I know anything I'll let you know. Until then - no news is good news.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Do I still have a job?
A lot of people have asked me if I still have a job.
As of this morning at 7:03 I do, but that may just be because I'm only 1 of 4 people here and the boss man isn't one of the other three.
Next week is a different story because the grand poo-pa who is a major factor in Brad leaving will be here and may decide that he wants to shake things up. SOOO. . .. I'll keep you posted.
What makes matters a little more scary is that I'll be gone for over a week, back for 2, and then gone for another 4 days. So I might not have a job when I get back.
Even if that's the case I'm not worried. God is in control and I continue to rest in the knowledge that nothing takes him by surprise and he will see me through my journey all the way to the end.
All the way my Savior leads me.
Until then - I'll persevere. It's a word I haven't spoken about in a while but is still very meaningful to me. In a past life, not too long ago I would have freaked out and been out of here by now. My heart would have started hurting, the walls would have started closing in, and I would have quit before things got tough just at the thought of change. But now - I have no fear, no panic attack. I know that I'm a good hard worker and I've got a job to do until they tell me otherwise. So I will continue coming in day after day until they tell me I'm done. I will do the best work I can while I'm here.
So that's where I am.
As of this morning at 7:03 I do, but that may just be because I'm only 1 of 4 people here and the boss man isn't one of the other three.
Next week is a different story because the grand poo-pa who is a major factor in Brad leaving will be here and may decide that he wants to shake things up. SOOO. . .. I'll keep you posted.
What makes matters a little more scary is that I'll be gone for over a week, back for 2, and then gone for another 4 days. So I might not have a job when I get back.
Even if that's the case I'm not worried. God is in control and I continue to rest in the knowledge that nothing takes him by surprise and he will see me through my journey all the way to the end.
All the way my Savior leads me.
Until then - I'll persevere. It's a word I haven't spoken about in a while but is still very meaningful to me. In a past life, not too long ago I would have freaked out and been out of here by now. My heart would have started hurting, the walls would have started closing in, and I would have quit before things got tough just at the thought of change. But now - I have no fear, no panic attack. I know that I'm a good hard worker and I've got a job to do until they tell me otherwise. So I will continue coming in day after day until they tell me I'm done. I will do the best work I can while I'm here.
So that's where I am.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
More Lyrics that made me think
I realize that this is one of those duh moments but while listening to the new songs that I downloaded (I listen in my car on my ipod, at work on my desktop and at home on my laptop! What can I say these songs have me hooked) these two phrases hit me like a freight train. There are many words and phrases in the songs (some that I'm singing right now) that are amazing and I'm sure I'll write them all out for you later but these two lines have been burrowing in my mind since I heard them. The reality of these statements make my heart hurt. I had this whole paragraph explaining what I thought of these words but I'm just going to let them sit with you and marinate in you and let the Holy Spirit do what he wants with them.
I don't want to talk about you
like you're not in the room
Wanna look right at you
Wanna sing right to you
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
It's been a weird week
Well this week started out really well. I was pumped about work, I was productive, I got my notes done, I was still excited that I had booked a flight, hotel, and car for a guy in my office at 11:30 and the flight he needed to be on left at 1:45!! It was a rush - can I just tell you.
Then Tuesday hit. Nothing big in the morning just the monthly update meeting at the Building on I-10(kind of the hub for the "Mother" company that I'm apart of). When I got back I got some terrible news from my boss. The man who I've known since well - for over half my life. He was the one that got me the job here and has been amazing to work with. He puts up with a TON of crap from all sides (including his wife - but that's a post for another time) and still manages to do an incredible job at this ginormous task.
He was let go - not only from being Project Manager but also from the job he was going to return to after the project was complete (for the same company).
Unfortunately as I hear it normally goes in the corporate world - the Project Manager normally gets the brunt of all mistakes made even though there is no way in the world he could have prevented it. For instance - he was accused of causing (or not preventing) a virus over in the freakin UK!!! Are you kidding me!!!! He was also accused of not repairing the relationships with all the CIO's. I'm sorry - but basically with this project (that was not his idea in the first place) they are working themselves out of a job. The company I work for would basically make what they do obsolete - so of course there's going to be some bitterness there. And my favorite excuse of all times - you're over budget. I'm sorry but a 9.8 million dollar project having to go to 10.2 million because the head boss dude wanted to add in another extremely large company is not his fault either!!! But no - boss man wanted to keep the very tight budget the same if not underneath while adding in several large locations from this new company. CRAZY!!!
Can you tell that I'm just a little bitter.
Honestly, when I first heard the news yesterday my mind immediately jumped from - that is horrible - what are you and your family going to do (he's completely jobless by the way!) to what does this mean for me. Am I out of a job since he's the one that basically created the job for me?!!? Til eventually even that turned into. . .ok - maybe this is the break from this to foreign missions. Who knows. I'm finally past the freak out part into the peace that God knows what he's doing and this didn't take him by surprise part. He's taken me this far and as the song we sang on Sunday says - All the way my Savior leads me. So I rest in that!
Please pray for my friend and his family. He has a wife and three children. They just recently bought a house, and she only works during the school year as a teacher at the private school that her kids go to. I know that there are going to be changes that have to be made in their life style and I ask that you pray that they all have the grace to make those changes willingly and without grief to each other.
Then Tuesday hit. Nothing big in the morning just the monthly update meeting at the Building on I-10(kind of the hub for the "Mother" company that I'm apart of). When I got back I got some terrible news from my boss. The man who I've known since well - for over half my life. He was the one that got me the job here and has been amazing to work with. He puts up with a TON of crap from all sides (including his wife - but that's a post for another time) and still manages to do an incredible job at this ginormous task.
He was let go - not only from being Project Manager but also from the job he was going to return to after the project was complete (for the same company).
Unfortunately as I hear it normally goes in the corporate world - the Project Manager normally gets the brunt of all mistakes made even though there is no way in the world he could have prevented it. For instance - he was accused of causing (or not preventing) a virus over in the freakin UK!!! Are you kidding me!!!! He was also accused of not repairing the relationships with all the CIO's. I'm sorry - but basically with this project (that was not his idea in the first place) they are working themselves out of a job. The company I work for would basically make what they do obsolete - so of course there's going to be some bitterness there. And my favorite excuse of all times - you're over budget. I'm sorry but a 9.8 million dollar project having to go to 10.2 million because the head boss dude wanted to add in another extremely large company is not his fault either!!! But no - boss man wanted to keep the very tight budget the same if not underneath while adding in several large locations from this new company. CRAZY!!!
Can you tell that I'm just a little bitter.
Honestly, when I first heard the news yesterday my mind immediately jumped from - that is horrible - what are you and your family going to do (he's completely jobless by the way!) to what does this mean for me. Am I out of a job since he's the one that basically created the job for me?!!? Til eventually even that turned into. . .ok - maybe this is the break from this to foreign missions. Who knows. I'm finally past the freak out part into the peace that God knows what he's doing and this didn't take him by surprise part. He's taken me this far and as the song we sang on Sunday says - All the way my Savior leads me. So I rest in that!
Please pray for my friend and his family. He has a wife and three children. They just recently bought a house, and she only works during the school year as a teacher at the private school that her kids go to. I know that there are going to be changes that have to be made in their life style and I ask that you pray that they all have the grace to make those changes willingly and without grief to each other.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
My trip to Austin
I've always loved Austin, especially the area that my parents live, but it wasn't until this last trip that I REALLY fell in love with it!!
For my trip this summer (have I mentioned yet that I leave in 20 days!!!) the kids like to see pictures of our families so I also wanted to show them the lay of the land - the big building and roads of Houston, and the hills and beauty of Austin.
Susanna took me out to some of the places that she likes to hike and they were BEAUTIFUL!! Man - it was breathtaking some of the views that she gets to have on a daily basis. (Have I mentioned that I love my sister!!)
I wish I had my old Picassa program so that I could grid out all the pictures instead of just straight posting them - but I can't at work so I just won't post as many pictures.
So here's my trip to Austin - enjoy
My dad - ever the Star Trek dork!! This is TOTALLY typical dad!
IV>Mom plays in several handbell choirs around Austin as a fill in - she's so serious when she plays!! This is the less talented choir she plays in (is that politically correct enough - ha!)
For my trip this summer (have I mentioned yet that I leave in 20 days!!!) the kids like to see pictures of our families so I also wanted to show them the lay of the land - the big building and roads of Houston, and the hills and beauty of Austin.
Susanna took me out to some of the places that she likes to hike and they were BEAUTIFUL!! Man - it was breathtaking some of the views that she gets to have on a daily basis. (Have I mentioned that I love my sister!!)
I wish I had my old Picassa program so that I could grid out all the pictures instead of just straight posting them - but I can't at work so I just won't post as many pictures.
So here's my trip to Austin - enjoy
There was a HUGE rainbow that I just had to get. It wasn't a full one - it just kind of ended in the cloud. You can see my dad in the bottom corner getting the picture with his camera phone.
This is Susanna in her newly emptied out (hopefully not refilled) apartment with her two dogs - Desmo is the daschshund and Nala is the pit bull puppy - both sweet and VERY cute!
My dad - ever the Star Trek dork!! This is TOTALLY typical dad!
The next few are of various locations around Austin taken while Susanna was driving and me sticking my camera out of the window praying it didn't fly out of my hands!!
This was my favorite location. The cliff on the left side of the bridge would be our final destination. Susanna goes up there to read and just be by herself (and from the trash left behind it a popular spot to hang out)
In this picture that spot to the left of the top outside bush is where we took our picures (I know it's confusing - just know it was on a high cliff that overlooked part of the lake)
These were views and other misc pictures we took while on the cliff.
There's a church on the way back to my parents that has this AMAZING view in their backyard. Susanna ever the good sport climbed up on this grill type thing to get the best pictures possible!! Love that girl!!
These were views and other misc pictures we took while on the cliff.
There's a church on the way back to my parents that has this AMAZING view in their backyard. Susanna ever the good sport climbed up on this grill type thing to get the best pictures possible!! Love that girl!!
Another Office Post
Man - it's been a LONG time since I've posted - I'm so sorry. Without even looking at my last post I can't even tell you what it was about. Well I've got several posts to put out today so let's get to it!!
The first one is another Office Post
Ok - so you all know that I've started parking at the back of the top floor of my work parking garage (geesh - that's a lot to type). It was to not only get more stairs in before my trip this summer (20 days away by the way!!) but to add more steps to my day since I predominantly sit all day long. Well my boss and long time friend Brad Dibble decided one day that he would block me in - I thought it was hilarious!! He left enough room so that I could get out but still it was too funny.
Apparently he said to those around my desk, she's gonna call in about 5 min. and sure enough I did. I took pictures to - they're below.
(Notice in the first one how far he had to walk just to block me in - the stairs are past those two cars in the top left side of the picture :D )
(Notice in the first one how far he had to walk just to block me in - the stairs are past those two cars in the top left side of the picture :D )
The following day I parked horizontal to the wall so that the only way he could block me in would be to get three other people to help him out. He said in that case he would have parked so close to my driver side door that I'd have to crawl in from the other side . . . . .hmmmmmm
The long weekend comes and goes and I figure it's time for my payback. I decided to take his idea and return the favor. So here's what I did. (It looks farther away than it really was. The door wouldn't have been able to open up more than 6 inches.
Now - normally Brad leaves early for meetings, or to work from home, or this time of year his kids have a lot of end of the year things that he has to go to. (Oh- my hours are now 7 - 4 - love the traffic better at those times!!). So I was hoping that he would be leaving early on this particular day so I could leave when I was supposed to .
Oh no - home-dude decides that this would be the day that he stays until 5:45 pm!!! 1 hour and 45 min later than I was supposed to be there. So I tried to sneak out right after him to catch pictures of him crawling in. I waited long enough I wanted some kind of tangible something for my effort. But by the time I got up there (got hung up for a minute or two) he was already in the car and driving away. I waved and smiled and so did he.
After a several attempts at trying to downplay what I'd done when asked if he even had a little trouble getting into the car cause he hadn't said ANYTHING (and after waiting THAT long I wanted at least SOME kind of response :D )- he finally admitted that he had to put his car into neutral to move it. HA!! So at least there was some kind of something!! Still wish I could have gotten pictures of that.
I wonder what will come next. . . . It's the small things in life that make the day pass!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Quotes from Sunday
“To those who don’t know God the things of God are foolish” Neil
This is so true! How many times have people obeyed what God has called them to people (and I’m not just talking about strangers – but family and friends) have thought they were out of their mind. God doesn’t always call us to things that are safe and considered “normal”. No, He calls us for his purpose.
“The hardest thing to do is continue doing what you know you’re supposed to do” Neil
I have to say that I agree wholeheartedly with this. I’m the worst at starting a million new things and never seeing them through to completion. I like immediate results, and when they don’t come or the shiny starts to wear off it’s generally time for me to start looking for my new shiny object/ “fun” task. I’m happy to say that with time this has become a lesser and lesser offense on my part. However, it’s a constant struggle and there are times when I don’t succeed. It’s a work that God is doing in my life. Goes back to the book I read – that I need to read again - Long Obedience in the Same Direction.
“Salvation is not feeling – it’s a reality” Neil
How many times have kids/ ME been at camp and had that religious high. When the music is just so, and the lights are dimmed, and there are people all over crying and people are flooding to the stage to beg for forgiveness until they leave camp and forget their Thursday night promise. Salvation isn’t about us/ me – it’s about God calling me to him, and there won’t always be dimmed lights, or music, or crying, or angels singing the halleluiah chorus above our beds, but God will always be there. Feelings change. You can be sad, happy, confused, in love, confused, in hate, vengeful – but reality doesn’t change. God is not fickle – he is true. Salvation is not fickle. Once God has you he doesn’t let go – THAT is the reality.
“I’ve never had a genuine religious experience. Oh I’ve given lip service to the idea, but a devastating, ego destroying, ontological epiphany I simply have not had” Sting
This quote from Sting I think is amazing and thank you to Neil for pointing it out. Being a Christian is ego destroying. Once you become a child of God it’s no longer about you, it’s about the call and direction that God has for you, and it will be a long bumpy ride until you understand that. You are nothing in and of yourself – but only who God has called you to be. Your identity is no longer what name you made for yourself in this world as the school jock or cheerleader, or most successful businesswoman or businessman, it’s not even mom of the year. No you are a child of God and there is nothing in this world that compare. The ontological epiphany simply means that it’s an out of this world realization – and that my friends can only come from God!! I’m glad to say that I have had the pleasure of this last part and am working on the ego destroying. It’s a hard thing to not care about the things of this world but as your view and understanding of God and the things of God grows the desire for the things of this world; wealth, popularity, being politically correct, having stuff all fade away until there’s nothing left but the desire to be with God and do his will until you can be. Don’t get me wrong – it’s much easier said than done, and it’s a daily struggle – but a struggle that is getting easier bit by bit.
This is so true! How many times have people obeyed what God has called them to people (and I’m not just talking about strangers – but family and friends) have thought they were out of their mind. God doesn’t always call us to things that are safe and considered “normal”. No, He calls us for his purpose.
“The hardest thing to do is continue doing what you know you’re supposed to do” Neil
I have to say that I agree wholeheartedly with this. I’m the worst at starting a million new things and never seeing them through to completion. I like immediate results, and when they don’t come or the shiny starts to wear off it’s generally time for me to start looking for my new shiny object/ “fun” task. I’m happy to say that with time this has become a lesser and lesser offense on my part. However, it’s a constant struggle and there are times when I don’t succeed. It’s a work that God is doing in my life. Goes back to the book I read – that I need to read again - Long Obedience in the Same Direction.
“Salvation is not feeling – it’s a reality” Neil
How many times have kids/ ME been at camp and had that religious high. When the music is just so, and the lights are dimmed, and there are people all over crying and people are flooding to the stage to beg for forgiveness until they leave camp and forget their Thursday night promise. Salvation isn’t about us/ me – it’s about God calling me to him, and there won’t always be dimmed lights, or music, or crying, or angels singing the halleluiah chorus above our beds, but God will always be there. Feelings change. You can be sad, happy, confused, in love, confused, in hate, vengeful – but reality doesn’t change. God is not fickle – he is true. Salvation is not fickle. Once God has you he doesn’t let go – THAT is the reality.
“I’ve never had a genuine religious experience. Oh I’ve given lip service to the idea, but a devastating, ego destroying, ontological epiphany I simply have not had” Sting
This quote from Sting I think is amazing and thank you to Neil for pointing it out. Being a Christian is ego destroying. Once you become a child of God it’s no longer about you, it’s about the call and direction that God has for you, and it will be a long bumpy ride until you understand that. You are nothing in and of yourself – but only who God has called you to be. Your identity is no longer what name you made for yourself in this world as the school jock or cheerleader, or most successful businesswoman or businessman, it’s not even mom of the year. No you are a child of God and there is nothing in this world that compare. The ontological epiphany simply means that it’s an out of this world realization – and that my friends can only come from God!! I’m glad to say that I have had the pleasure of this last part and am working on the ego destroying. It’s a hard thing to not care about the things of this world but as your view and understanding of God and the things of God grows the desire for the things of this world; wealth, popularity, being politically correct, having stuff all fade away until there’s nothing left but the desire to be with God and do his will until you can be. Don’t get me wrong – it’s much easier said than done, and it’s a daily struggle – but a struggle that is getting easier bit by bit.
Katie and her girls
I visited a web site this week that took an amazing photo of Katie and her girls!! I wanted to share it with you so you can continue to pray with me for Katie and her safety. Thank you to Rialee for taking this photo - it's truely beautiful!!!! Rialee photagraphy is based out of Fargo - if you live near there than you should use her - her pictures are amazing!!!!
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